Swiss luxury hotel The Dolder Grand hosted roughly 150 media and content creators for the official launch of Denza in Switzerland, marking the premium electric vehicle brand’s entry into the market. Denza, a joint venture between BYD and Mercedes-Benz established in 2010, is now offering four models for order: the Gran Turismo Z9GT, the seven-seat D9 van, the Denza Z supercar, and the BAO 5 plug-in hybrid SUV.
The Denza Z supercar, making its physical debut in Switzerland, sets the pricing benchmark with a top model priced at 179,900 francs. The full-electric variant delivers up to 1,604 horsepower, accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 1.96 seconds in racing trim, and reaches a top speed of 380 km/h. The coupé starts at 149,900 francs, while the spider version is listed at 164,900 francs. The Gran Turismo Z9GT is available as a full-electric model with over 1,150 horsepower starting at 115,000 francs or as a super hybrid from 101,000 francs. The D9 van begins at 79,900 francs, with all models backed by eight years of warranty and six years of free maintenance in Switzerland—two years longer than elsewhere in Europe.
The BAO 5 plug-in hybrid SUV, priced from 77,900 francs and up to 87,900 francs in top trim, features 544 horsepower, a combined WLTP range of 835 kilometers, and a ladder-frame chassis with locking differentials. First customer vehicles are expected to arrive in the coming weeks as Denza expands its Swiss dealer network from three locations—Zurich, Geneva, and St. Gallen—to six by year-end.
Ferdinando D’Apice, a Turin Polytechnic graduate and former Fiat-Chrysler and Pirelli executive, has been appointed BYD Switzerland’s new country manager. D’Apice stated the brand’s ambition to not only establish itself in Switzerland but to capture the premium segment across Europe. The Z9GT’s test drive highlighted a high-end interior, responsive handling, and advanced features such as the Crab Walk and Compass Turn 360° maneuvering systems, though reviewers noted the vehicle’s size and weight—2,810 kilograms for the hybrid and 2,895 kilograms for the full-electric version—may limit its suitability for European roads. The D9, measuring 5.25 meters in length and 1.96 meters in width, presents similar considerations.
Denza’s market entry is poised to be a historic moment for Switzerland’s auto sector, with industry observers awaiting registration data to gauge its long-term impact.
